PC Chapter 61

Su Cen followed Li Shi out of the palace and climbed into Li Shi’s carriage with him. Since Li Shi had asked for his company, he naturally didn’t dare refuse, though he could only watch helplessly as Qi Lin turned the carriage toward Su residence.

 

His osmanthus wine, his crispy roast goose, his sweet rice wine dumplings…

 

Resigned, Su Cen sat properly in the carriage. Remembering the court incident earlier, he couldn’t help but ask, “That Feng Yiming…”

 

Li Shi, however, had no intention of continuing the conversation. He knocked lightly on the small table inside the carriage, drawing Su Cen’s attention to the set of clothing already laid out there. “Change,” Li Shi commanded.

 

Knowing better than to protest, Su Cen stayed silent and obediently began changing.

 

When he finished, he couldn’t help but feel puzzled. The outfit was clearly something a servant would wear. “Where are we going?” he asked, confused.

 

“To see someone,” Li Shi replied. “It’ll be beneficial for you.”

 

When the carriage stopped, Su Cen lifted the curtain and saw the two bold characters for “Ning Residence” written brightly outside, and his heart suddenly understood.

 

In this world, there was likely no one else worth the Prince Ning’s personal visit other than this individual.

 

The person in question was Ning Yi, the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty. A senior official who had served across four reigns, he had witnessed the rise of the Great Zhou from its inception. A man of such stature that even the most powerful figures in the Great Zhou had to show him respect.

 

No wonder Li Shi said it would be good for him; Su Cen likely couldn’t even enter this door on his own merits.

 

“Don’t talk too much,” Li Shi said, tossing a scroll case at Su Cen to hold before leading the way off the carriage.

 

As they entered, a young boy with a shaved head came running to greet them, smiling cheekily. “Your Highness, what brings you here today?”

 

Su Cen was surprised. This little boy wasn’t the least bit afraid of Li Shi. Even more astonishing, Li Shi didn’t seem annoyed either. “What’s the old man up to?” Li Shi asked.

 

“He had too much for lunch and is strolling in the back garden to digest,” the boy replied with a grin. He glanced at Su Cen and then looked up to ask, “Why didn’t Brother A-Lin come today?”

 

“Qi Lin is busy,” Li Shi replied.

 

Busy drinking my osmanthus wine, Su Cen grumbled inwardly. Outwardly, he remained respectful, following closely behind.

 

The boy led them through the estate toward the back garden. Though not large, the Ning Residence was exquisitely designed, with a serene elegance in its layout. The warm sun illuminated the garden, where autumn chrysanthemums still bloomed. As they rounded a rockery, they saw an elderly man with crane hair standing with his back to them, tending to several pots of bright red chrysanthemums. Despite his age, he seemed vigorous.

 

This was Ning Yi, the Grand Tutor, then 84 years old. He was a Jinshi in the eighteenth year of Wude. He started as a small editor in the Hanlin Academy. He had witnessed the death of Crown Prince Chongde, survived the Yonglong Palace coup, and escaped purges during Emperor Taizong’s reign due to his junior status at the time. Later, he served Emperor Li Yu for 23 years, rising to the rank of Chancellor by the end of the Yonglong reign. During Emperor Shenzong’s rule, he was honored with the title of Grand Tutor despite being in his sixties, continuing his service. By the time the young emperor ascended the throne after Shenzong’s death, Ning Yi had already assisted four rulers, served over 40 years in office, and reached the pinnacle of officialdom.

 

Li Shi walked up with his hands behind his back and recited, “Come autumn, on the ninth day of the ninth month, when my flowers bloom, all others wither. Now retired, the old man enjoys himself well.”

 

Hearing the voice, Ning Yi turned around, his face spirited and glowing with health. “You little rascal,” he said with a teasing smile.

 

The younger one was undisciplined, and the older one was not arrogant, making their interaction resemble that of a typical grandfather and grandson.

 

A servant stepped forward to take the scroll case from Su Cen. Li Shi said, “This is Wu Jingxuan’s 《Li Fei Emerging from the Bath》 that you wanted.”

 

Ning Yi’s eyes lit up. He immediately took the case from the servant and, without hesitation, unrolled it in the garden pavilion. Kneeling on the floor, he carefully examined the painting, his full attention absorbed.

 

Su Cen couldn’t help but feel a jolt of surprise. Wu Jingxuan was a renowned artist of the previous dynasty, hailed as a master painter known for his delicate line drawings. His brushwork was fluid, and his figures appeared lifelike. Among his works, the most famous was 《Li Fei Emerging from the Bath》. However, the painting emerged shortly before the fall of the previous dynasty, leading to rumors that it symbolized the excess and decadence of the imperial harem, marking it as a “doomed painting.”

 

Su Cen didn’t buy into such notions. A painting held no fault, and the previous dynasty didn’t collapse merely because of Wu Jingxuan’s art.

 

It was said that 《Li Fei Emerging from the Bath》 had been lost to the chaos of war. He never expected it to resurface in Li Shi’s possession. Had he known he was holding such a priceless piece earlier, he wouldn’t have let it go so easily. Surely, he would’ve insisted on keeping it to admire for at least a night.

 

Now that it had slipped from his hands, he could only steal a few fleeting glances at it.

 

Ning Yi clicked his tongue in admiration, saying, “This is an authentic piece. I never thought you’d actually find it.”

 

Li Shi smiled. “Since you wanted to see it, I had to find it for you.”

 

Ning Yi studied the painting for a long while before reluctantly rolling it up and carefully handing it to a servant, instructing him to handle it with utmost care. Only then did he let it be taken away.

 

With the stone table in the pavilion cleared, Ning Yi invited Li Shi to play a game of chess. Li Shi sat down without hesitation, smiling as he teased, “Shall I give you a two-piece advantage?”

 

“Ridiculous!” the old master huffed indignantly. “When I was dominating the black-and-white board, you weren’t even born yet!”

 

This wasn’t an exaggeration. Over decades in the court, Ning Yi had honed his skills in strategy and intrigue, leaving little doubt about his capabilities.

 

They decided the first move by drawing lots, with Li Shi taking black and starting in the upper-right star point.

 

Su Cen observed for a while and soon discerned their play styles. Li Shi was decisive and aggressive, while Ning Yi was methodical, carefully deliberating every move.

 

As they played, tea was being brewed outside the pavilion. Feeling a bit bored, Su Cen left the game to take over the task from the tea servant.

 

His tea-whisking skills had been taught by his father, and he had particularly mastered the technique of tea frothing. Normally, his laziness meant he would settle for a simple brew, but today, he went all out, completing every step meticulously. Once the tea was ready, its rich aroma filled the air, with a delicate foam floating on top, resembling an ink painting—a masterpiece in itself.

 

He served the tea to the two people and took the opportunity to glance at the game. The chessboard was locked in a stalemate, with Li Shi relentlessly pressing forward, showing no mercy even to the elderly master.

 

It was Ning Yi’s turn, and he hesitated between reinforcing his upper-left corner to capture his opponent’s stones or returning to dismantle Li Shi’s dragon. After much deliberation, he chose to secure his immediate gains. Just as he was about to place his piece, a soft cough sounded beside him. Startled, he quickly realized he had nearly fallen into Li Shi’s trap and hurriedly returned to protect his territory.

 

Li Shi paused, a black piece between his fingers, and glanced up at Su Cen.

 

Earlier, he had used the upper-left corner as bait, and victory had seemed assured, only to be thwarted by this one misstep.

 

Ning Yi, in high spirits, couldn’t help but look at the person who had subtly warned him. The man appeared outwardly submissive, standing quietly with downcast eyes, but there was a hint of irrepressible cunning in his expression. Though dressed as a servant, his figure did not look humble, just like the autumn chrysanthemums in the garden, with a sense of natural pride.

 

He picked up the teacup and took a sip, and couldn’t help but be surprised, “Did you make this?”

 

The young man replied neither servile nor arrogant, “Yes.”

 

Ning Yi, clearly pleased, gave him an appraising look and smiled approvingly. “The tea is excellent. Stay here and serve.”

 

Su Cen immediately understood what this implied. When the game reached a critical point, he offered subtle hints, and when Ning Yi asked for his thoughts on the situation, Su Cen responded without reserve. His insights were surprisingly accurate, and by the end, the two—one old, one young—teamed up against Li Shi and managed to win by two pieces.

 

In high spirits, the old master turned to Li Shi and said, “Since I’ve won, I’ll ask for something from you.”

 

Li Shi stretched his arms lazily and shook his head. “No.”

 

Ning Yi frowned. “I haven’t even said what I want, and you’re already refusing?”

 

Li Shi chuckled. “What you want is my person, and I can’t give him to you.”

 

The old master had initially been making an offhand remark, simply finding Su Cen pleasing to the eye. However, Li Shi’s blunt refusal only stoked his temper. Looking Su Cen over again, the more he looked, the more he liked him. “What do you mean, your person? Once someone steps into my house, they’re mine. I’ll make a trade: take back your 《Li Fei Emerging from the Bath》, and leave the boy here.”

 

Su Cen was momentarily stunned. He couldn’t believe he was worth such a bargain.

 

Li Shi remained unmoved, and Ning Yi only grew more determined, clearly convinced that this young man was a rare find. He turned directly to Su Cen and said, “Don’t be afraid. With me to back you, he won’t dare make things difficult for you.”

 

Su Cen stifled a laugh, raised his eyebrows slightly, and cast a sidelong glance at Li Shi. Then, with lowered eyes and an air of grievance, he replied softly, “I’ll follow master’s arrangements.”

 

Li Shi couldn’t help but laugh at Su Cen’s feigned innocence. He pulled him into his arms with a resigned smile and said, “I told you, my person is not up for grabs.”

 

Su Cen froze, his entire body stiffening from the neck down.

 

When Li Shi had once declared to Xiao Yan that Su Cen was “his,” Su Cen had understood—it was just a statement to dismiss a rebel. There was no need to hide or sugarcoat anything in such a scenario.

 

But now, Li Shi was saying this in front of Ning Yi, a man of immense influence in the court. Was Li Shi openly defying the late emperor’s decree?

 

Ning Yi was stunned as well. After a moment, he shook his head and sighed, “You, aren’t you afraid that your father will jump out of the imperial mausoleum out of anger?”

 

Li Shi smiled faintly. “I wasn’t even around when he passed. Who’s to say it wasn’t Li Xun who set me up?”

 

Ning Yi sighed twice in succession, his expression complicated.

 

Feeling a bit awkward, Su Cen stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Ning Yi. “Student Su Cen of the Dali Temple greets the Grand Tutor.”

 

Ning Yi had once served as Minister of Rites, and all scholars were, in a sense, under the jurisdiction of his ministry. Although he had long since retired by the time Su Cen sat for his exams, Su Cen still addressed himself as a “student,” both to establish rapport and out of genuine respect.

 

The old master was clearly pleased. He spent the rest of the afternoon chatting with Su Cen, appreciating flowers, and playing chess. When it came time to leave, he even tried to convince Su Cen to stay the night. A single glance from Li Shi, however, quashed that idea.

 

In the end, Ning Yi simply said, “If you’re ever free, come visit this old man. I don’t have many years left, and it’s rare to meet someone as perceptive as you.”

 

Su Cen felt a pang of sorrow but still promised to visit during his next break. With that, he followed Li Shi back to the carriage.

 

As the carriage slowly left the Ning estate, Su Cen couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sadness. Though Ning Yi still appeared spirited, his advanced age meant that even a minor illness could prove fatal.

 

What surprised him more was the relationship between Li Shi and Ning Yi. It seemed deeper than he’d expected. Li Shi was born into a royal family, and must have seen his fair share of estranged fathers and feuding brothers. Yet with Ning Yi, there appeared to be a semblance of familial warmth. Clearly, the old master held a special place in Li Shi’s heart.

 

Why had Li Shi brought him along today? Was Ning Yi’s fondness for him truly genuine, or was there more to it?

 

Su Cen turned his head to glance at Li Shi. Half of Li Shi’s face was hidden in the shadows, making it impossible to discern any emotions.

 

He was too good at hiding. Su Cen shook his head quietly. Over the years, this man had become like a clam, meticulously cultivating his thick shell, burying everything deep within. With Su Cen’s limited insight, there was no way he could see through him.

 

Deciding not to dwell on it, Su Cen leaned closer, nestling into Li Shi’s embrace.

 

“Where are you going?” Li Shi raised an arm to hold him close.

 

Initially, Su Cen had thought of returning to Xingqing Palace with Li Shi. However, after a moment’s considerati

on, he changed his mind and looked up to ask, “Can you drop me off at the Dali Temple?”

 

Li Shi smiled softly and patted his shoulder. “Alright.”

 

 

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